Coast Guard suspends search for fisherman near Juneau

KODIAK, Alaska — The Coast Guard suspended the search for a fisherman who fell overboard from the 39-foot fishing vessel Eleanor S south of Berners Bay Wednesday morning.

“Making the decision to suspend the search for anyone is one of the most difficult decisions we have to make and our deepest condolences go out to the family,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Jeremy Dawkins, operations unit controller with the Coast Guard Sector Juneau command center. “We also thank the good Samaritans who participated in the search.”

A coordinated search for the missing fisherman covering more than 60 square miles was conducted by a Coast Guard Station Juneau 25-foot Response Boat-Small crew, a Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and several good Samaritan fishing vessels.

Coast Guard Sector Juneau watchstanders received a call at 5:10 a.m. reporting the fisherman fell overboard while attempting to remove fishing gear that became stuck in the propeller.

The fisherman was reportedly wearing green rain gear and no flotation device when he fell overboard.

Weather conditions in the search area were reportedly winds of 10 mph with 2-foot seas. The water temperature was reportedly 45 degrees Fahrenheit and an air temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit with good visibility.